For Lucky

After loving a black lab for more than 11 years, how does a family say good-bye to their cherished family pet? Although we knew he was aging, the signs of arthritis were a struggle and the bladder difficulties were frustrating, the phone call from the Vet yesterday was still heartbreaking. Lucky went in yesterday morning for exploratory surgery; he had developed a hematoma above his hip two weeks ago which, with a simple aspiration, indicated it was a pocket of blood, suggesting he was bleeding internally from an unknown cause. During the surgery, the Doctor discovered that where muscle once was, a blood tumor had developed, which was no doubt, cancerous. It was a "mushy" tumor, hence the Dr. was unable to remove it and more compelling, the Dr. was unable to stop the bleeding that was occuring due to the tumor. Over the phone, the Dr. guided me to the decision that was looming and reasonable.

Reasonable. There is nothing reasonable about the way I am feeling just now. Over the past two years, our Lucky has suffered several medical challenges. With each challenge, I could be heard asking, "Why can't he just pass on quietly in his sleep?" The balance required in prolonging a pets life with the necessary finances to do so is a heavy weight. It seems today, Lucky was able to die in his sleep.

So reasonable or not, our family mourns the loss of a black lab that we were lucky to love the last 11 years. Coming from the Humane Society, this puppy loved us, loved a multitude of barn kittens, and loved each of the other puppies we call our own. He blessed our home with a love that only a black lab can lavish!